How Do You Tell If a Ruby Is Real with a Flashlight?
James H. Sterling
••6 min read
Real Rubies Glow with a Deep, Vivid, Almost "Stoplight" Red. Fake Gems Are Often Dull: They Are "Light, but Not Bright." If the Gem Is More of a Dark Red, Then...
Real rubies glow with a deep, vivid, almost "stoplight" red. Fake gems are often dull: they are "light, but not bright." If the gem is more of a dark red, then it may be garnet instead of a ruby.
How can I test my ruby at home?
Grind a coin or fingernail into your ruby's surface and see if it is getting scratches. If your stone is showing a scratch, then it is not a real ruby. Scratch the ruby against a hard surface such as a piece of clear glass or a porcelain tile. Keep in mind to check if the ruby stone leaves a red mark on the surface.
Can you settle this? Answer: All rubies fluoresce, whether they're mined or created in a lab, since natural and synthetic ruby gemstones have the same chemical composition and physical properties.